on the broadcast tonight. game changer, retirement age, social security. tonight a big powerful organization is changing its tune slightly, could affect all of us. gadhafi and his supporters get angry and defiant, it leads to a close call to our friends on the ground. the frenzy surrounding an awful murder trial. and the man who's showing up from all over to rebuild a town because they have something very special in common with it. and tonight some of the stories that just went too fast this week.

stories that just went too fast this week. "nightly news" begins now. captions paid for by nbc-universal television good evening. the folks at the aarp often talk about the power that comes from their huge membership, the political clout from a c constituent block that big. it's often been enough to block discussion of certain issues. when the aarp with all it's power and might in washington seemed to indicate it was willing to change its position, that made news today. and it's where we begin here tonight in washington with nbc's tom costello. >> reporter: the headline tonight in the "wall street journal" is right here, reporting a bunch of stir reporting that aarp is dropping it's long standing tradition to cutting social security benefits

because it has realized that change is inevitable and they want to be part of the discussion. the policy chief of aarp john rother is saying he's decided aarp must be open to changing because if the ship is sailing, i want to be on board when that happens. this afternoon the organization said its always been open to discussing future benefit changes to address a revenue short fall 25 years down the road. >> we do need to make changes to fill that short fall and we need the options to make sure that social security is solvent for the future. >> reporter: the program will exhaust it's reserves by 2026 and it will take $6.5 trillion over the next 75 years to pay for all the promised benefits. up until now touching social security has been political poison for both democrats and

republicans. but because of its influence on capitol hill, aarp has changed their position no matter how nuanced that will go a long way toward raising contribution levels or raising benefits including a new retirement age. >> a suggestion that they're willing to accept changes to the program means that they realize that in the long run social has to change and that's sfabtd both for politicians as for the american public. >> reporter: aarp insists it remains opposed to social security cuts to manage the proposed deficit. it stresses it is not supporting changes that would affect today's seniors. >>. we go overseas now to libya where today our team on the ground in tripoli had a close one, they were in an encounter that gave them the unmistakable

feeling that the move there might be turning more toxic, especially toward the news media. the event they were there to cover was a pro gadhafi rally. stephanie gosk was there with our camera crew in tripoli tonight to tell the story. stephanie, good evening. >> reporter: we got caught in the middle of an angry mob, four months to the day since the uprising began here in libya. they were fourious at nato and t took armed intelligence offices to get us out safely. thousands gathered in the capital square to clap, chant and shoot their guns. for their embattled leader. gadhafi responded with a phone call, sounding combative and

slightly hoarse, he said nato will be defeated, they will mull out. even challenge the alliance to keep bombing. the audio broadcast by state dv, was blasted on speakers throughout the square, where there was also plenty of anger. >> we're welcoming a crowd, they are definitely progadhafi, anti-nato and as part of the media is concerned, he's a liar. gadhafi's supporters mean the -- >> the government has bombed the people over here. this is the first time. this is the biggest one. >> reporter: life in tripoli is only getting harder. nato has intensified it's bombing campaign, exploding throughout the city daily. there's also a shortage of gas, lines stretched for miles, people wait for days to fill their tanks. this 18-year-old spent her day on some school waiting to fill

the family car. we want a good relationship, she says, but what do they want? to colonize libya. the protesters today had a messages. moments after filming this man, our government minders escorted us out of the square, away from an increasingly hostile crowd. soon after that moment, brian, we turned our camera off, we were trying to get out quickly but the situation got out of control and we were surrounded. >> stephanie, i want to ask you more about this, because we know you're someone who doesn't scare easily, you're no stranger to tight spots, incoming bombs and rockets and all of that. so how bad did it get and how close was it? >> reporter: well, mobs can turn really quickly, brian, and that's what happened. we were surrounded at first by a small group, but the angrier they got, the larger the group

became and once they surrounded us, we really had very little control. but soon after that, a car pulled up with libyan intelligence officers behind them, a number of military officers, they pushed us into their car and got us out safely, we were very glad to see them, brian. >> stephanie, thank you for your reporting on that story today. now we move over to syria where despite daily crackdowns there, thousandsed filled the streets protesting president assaad, they're also leaving libya by the thousands. remember foreign journalists aren't allowed in there. but one of our journalists managed to get in there and get out of there, he's on safe ground in turkey tonight. >> reporter: good evening, brian. those clashes today across the

country cost something like 16 lives including that of a young teenaged boy. despite the basknter, we slippe into syria to see some disturbing scenes. one look to summarize the suffering of so many. one family among thousands, four boys, one getting sick in the searing heat and only filthy river water to drink. this water is from the stream? >> yes. >> reporter: and people are washing in the stream? >> washing and food. >> reporter: though they will find no comfort here, syrians are still seeking refuge at the border, running from an army who is getting ever closer. we traveled just a few mile into the country, far enough to see the deceased town of jisr al-shughour. the smoke blackened buildings, evidence of the army's assault.

our guides say it's too dangerous to go closer. the situation along this frontier has got even more tense in the past few days. they tell us that villages just along the valley have been shelled by tanks and that syrian army snipers now operate in the woods. >> reporter: a villager tells me his brother was shot in the head and the heart. it's not safe to walk upstreet, he says. the same is true for many syrian streets. these pictures are impossible to verify, but a bloody scene is said to have played out in the city of palms today. unpeaceal protests followed by brutal reprisals across the country. after three months, it's hard to say how much longer syria's torment comes last. but their despair is deep, without limits. >> the role of united nations

ambassador, some of the near 10,000 refugees who made it to safety into turkey. a lot of those refugees would like the united nations to intervene to resolve this crisis, but three months in, 1,300 deaths later, the security council can't even make up its mind whether to condemn the violence. brian? >> you're so right, it's so important to remember all this coming on, john ray after his day reporting for us in syria, thanks. back in this country tonight, congresswoman gabby giffords as you may remember got out of the hospital this week, she's been staying at her husband's house in houston, but this weekend she's going home to tucson since the shooting in january. her office said it will be a brief visit home, no public appearances. scary moments last night near the pentagon when a marine reservist with a suspicious backpack was detained.

about 1:30 this morning this all took place. he was captured in arlington national cemetery, he's in custody, but he hasn't been charged with any crime yet. it caused a nightmarish traffic jam in d.c. overnight and through this morning's rush. the backpack did not contain any real explosives. when we come back after the break tonight, it's become such an industry, such a borderline sick obsession, you have to remind yourself, this is a murder trial about the death of a 2-year-old girl. and later, backing up over the moments that might have gone by too fast this week. a few things you ought to see. we're having mexican tonight, so another pill then? unless we eat later, then pill later? if i get a snack now, pill now? skip the snack, pill later... late dinner, pill now? aghh i've got heartburn in my head. [ male announcer ] stop the madness. take prilosec otc for frequent heartburn. one pill a day. twenty-four hours. zero heartburn.

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for almost a month now, this trial has generated a bizarre and obsessive following, our report tonight on that from nbc's kerry sanders. >> reporter: early this morning, outside the orlando county courthouse, a fight for position in line to get tickets. on some days here, it looks like the frenzy at a bargain basement sale. those who wait but don't get in watch it faithfully on television. >> i've been watching. i tape every episode. >> reporter: but these are not episodes of some soap opera, this attraction is a criminal trial, a mother charged with killing her 2-year-old daughter. laura rice is from savannah. >> and our family's at business any world, but this was more exciting for me. >> reporter: a look at twitter shows where people are tuning in. at work in philadelphia, enid, oklahoma, the united kingdom. one viewer watched at 35,000 feet on air canada.

in palm desert, california before the sun is even up, cindy syracuse is tuned in. >> i'm a junky for this trial. >> reporter: in ekwerth, georgia. >> this is the o.j. trial for us, our generation. >> reporter: the courtroom cameras here do not show the jurors. that's why they come, to see who will decide this case. the journey to this courtroom can be long and for many exhausting, and the one thing they don't tolerate in the courtroom sleeping. >> they tap them on the shoulder and say you got to go. >> reporter: because? >> because they're sleeping? >> reporter: because? >> because they've been there since 12:00 in the morning. >> for millions, it's captivating reality tv. >> and speaking of the casey

anthony trial, dateline takes a look at it tonight at 9:00, 8:00 central. >> they never met before, but they have something so special in common with this town, where they have all come together. i have fallen in love with making bird houses. caw caw! [ director ] what is that? that's a horrible crow. here are some things that i'll make as little portals. honestly, i'd love to do this for the rest of my life so i've got to take care of my heart. for me, cheerios is a good place to start. [ male announcer ] got something you'll love to keep doing? take care of your heart. you can start with cheerios. the natural whole grain oats can help lower cholesterol. brrrbb... makes you feel ageless. [ male announcer ] it's time. love your heart so you can do what you love. cheerios. [ bob ] squak.

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of the town of phil campbell, alabama, the cleanup continues. nearly 100 homes were lost, 26 people killed, even the historic train depot, built by the phil campbell for whom the town was named was demolished. but pitching in to help now are some special visitors from around the world. many with accents rarely heard in rural alabama. >> i'm phil campbell from scotland. >> my name's phil campbell, i'm from juneau, alaska. >> phil campbell from austin, texas. >> reporter: before the tornado there were plans here to celebrate the town's centennial, with a festival, music and an open invitation to anyone named phil campbell. but because of the destruction, nitaarton the parks and recreation organizer told phil campbell the celebration would have to be cancelled. but the phils are still coming in to help. >> it was clear that people wanted to do something.

>> reporter: the town's residents are deeply moved by the support. >> knowing that these people wanted to come to town, we had to have the festival. we had to make these people feel better. >> reporter: the phils have now raised thousands of dollars for rebuilding. >> we needed to come over here and be one phil campbell for the town of phil campbell. >> reporter: school kids have sent hundreds of cards organized by another phil campbell. >> i'm here to help you get your town back and rebuild. >> reporter: in a time of need a close connection in more than name only. mark potter, nbc news, phil campbell, alabama. >> great story, when we come back here tonight, what was that young couple doing in the middle of the riot in canada this week? and other news that we might have missed. [ male announcer ] millions of men 45 and older just don't feel like they used to. are you one of them? remember when you had more energy for 18 holes with your buddies. more passion for the one ya love. more fun with your family and friends.

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performance art? were they trying to be ironic because that would be so anarchist. it turned out that she was injured an he was comforting her. get a room. the new trend appears to be glitter bombing. gay rights activists hit newt gingrich at a book signing last week and tim pawlenty got it just this week, though his appeared to be a glitter confetti mix. get ready for a guy names john huntsman, a man ready to get into the race in the weeks to come. he was an ambassador to china under obama. he loves motorcycles and released an ad this week that could be for motorcycles and he's the moremon son.

and for p michelle backman was judged to have been the breakout candidate of the first gop debate where she said she has been a foster parent to 23 children, she has five kids of her own. this week gadhafi took part in a chess photo-op while offering a deal to the u.s. he will hold elections and promises to step aside if he loses. the rebels say no deal and the air strikes continue. the passing this week of carl garner reminded us of how good music used to be back in the day. he had songs like yackity yack and poison ivey. he was the one who warned us we would need an ocean of calamine lotion. getting carol brunette to start her show with questions from the audience and getting dinah shore to end hers with a big kiss.

when a rookie entertainer named barbra streisand wanted to dance on tv, he suggested why don't you sing instead? here's a first for the marines, a female general took over command of the legendary paris island today. general loretta reynolds is marine core to the core. an annapolis grad, she took two tours in iraq and afghanistan. boeing released their commercial design for learjets, it's a beautiful design but nowhere near reality for another decade or two and it won't help you in the middle of a crowded friday night chicago to pittsburgh commuter flight. in airport news, two enterprises young filmmakers missed their connection and then stowed away overnight inside dfw airport and made a feature film. not sure what this means about airport security.

the guy vacuuming didn't seem to know either. there's a real prairie dog living on a golf course in sarasota. they say he can stay as he's now a local celebrity. but the web video of the week proved 1-year-olds just look delicious if you're a lioness. with all the lioness out there, we have to remember they -- hopefully he'll be thrilled to learn someday that his brush with death was chronicled by "nightly news" on a friday night on june 17, 2011. we'll put all the videos on our website in full at nbc.com and that is the week that was. you, please, have a good weekend, that's our broadcast for this friday night and for this week. thank you as always for being here with us.

i'm brian williams. we hope to see you right back here monday night, good night from new york.